The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Morioh as students began to spill from the school gates. Ken walked calmly, a faint smirk curling on his lips.
The Nijimura brothers… Bad Company… the arrow. All pieces on the board. And I need a seat at the table before the game starts.
Josuke and Koichi walked ahead, talking about homework and café stops. Ken quickened his pace and called out casually:"Yo! Got a minute?"
Josuke turned, curious. "Huh? What's up, Ken?"
Ken glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Then his tone shifted, serious, low."…I haven't been totally honest with you guys."
Koichi tilted his head nervously. "Uh… what do you mean?"
Ken let out a slow breath, as if this weighed on him."I'm a Stand user too. But my ability… it's a little unusual."
Josuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Unusual how?"
Ken met his gaze calmly."I can erase a Stand completely, remove it from its user. If I touch the person for a certain period of time, their Stand disappears for good."
Koichi froze. "Wait… so… they just lose their Stand?"
Ken nodded. "Exactly. No harm to the person. They just go back to being ordinary. No more Stand, no more fighting."
Josuke frowned, thinking it over. "That's… actually kinda useful."
Ken shrugged like it was nothing. "That's why I kept quiet. People either get scared… or try to use me. I didn't know what kind of guys you were yet."
Koichi's face softened. "So… you could stop anyone dangerous without killing them…"
Ken gave a small, reassuring smile. "That's the idea. No more victims, no more bloodshed. If you want, I'll help."
Josuke held his gaze for a long second, then nodded. "Alright. If you're serious, we could use that. But only if things get ugly."
"Of course," Ken said smoothly. "I'm not reckless."
The system chimed softly in his mind:
[Trust +10 | Current: 60%]
Ken smiled faintly to himself.Perfect. They see me as a peacemaker, not a threat. Exactly where I want them.
The sun dipped low, painting the rooftops in warm orange. Ken walked beside Josuke and Koichi, listening to their casual chatter. On the surface, he looked calm. Inside, calculations ran like a machine.
Koichi turned to him suddenly. "Ken… so if you erased someone's Stand… they'd just… go back to normal?"
Ken nodded, voice even. "That's it. They live. No fights, no deaths. Just an ordinary life again."
Josuke adjusted his pompadour, still skeptical. "Man… that's actually kinda refreshing. If what you're saying is true, you might save lives."
Ken smiled faintly. "That's the goal. Stands give people power… and power twists people. If I can pull someone out before it ruins them, I will."
The system pinged in his mind:
[Trust +5 | Current: 65%]
Ken kept his face relaxed, his tone light. "So… if you need me, call me. I'll end things clean."
Josuke nodded. "Count on it. There's some crazy stuff going on in town lately. We might need your help sooner than you think."
Ken looked ahead, the warm glow of sunset hiding the cold gleam in his eyes. Sooner than you think, huh? Good. Because tomorrow, I erase my first Stand… and steal an army.
[Event Triggered: Nijimura Hideout | Estimated: <24 hours>]
End of Chapter 9